Pop-up bath waste



a Shee ts-Sheet 1 INVENTOR April 19, 1955 F. R. HOLYCROSS, JR

POP-UP BATH WASTE Filed Oct. 22, 1951 FIG.2

FIG.

FRANK R HOLYCROSS, Jr.

ATTORNEY FIG 8 April 19, 1955 F, R. HOLYCROSSyJR POP-UP BATH WASTE Filed Oct. 22, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NV'ENTOR FRANK R. HOLYCROSS Jr.

ATTORNEY April 1955 F. R. HOLYCROSS, JR 2,706,298

POP-UP BATH WASTE Filed Oct. 22, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORZ FRANK R.-HoLYcRossgJn ATTORNEY United States Patent POP-UP BATH WASTE Frank R. Holycross, Jr., Marysville, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Murray Corporation of America, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application October 22, 1951, Serial No. 252,471

Claims. (Cl. 4-203) This invention relates to certain improvements in waste valves for bath tubs and the like, known in the trade as pop-up valves, and more specifically to a novel means for operating said valves to produce a cushioning action between the operating means and valve stopper or plug.

The present valve structure and its operating means broadly is the type adapted to be used in connection with a sanitary fixture provided with a combination overflow and drain, where said operating parts are mounted and enclosed within the piping or passageways of said combined overflow and drain.

These various parts comprising the valve, connecting linkage and operating means, including the operating handle and its mounting, are sold as a unit to the trade and assembled and attached by the plumber to the sanitary fixture which could be either a tub, lavatory bowl, or sink.

The object of the invention is to provide a pop-up waste valve and operating means that can be installed by inserting the same, partly through the overflow and partly through the drain after said overflow and drain pipes have been set up and assembled with respect to the sanitary fixture.

Further, these valve parts can also be removed for cleaning, replacement or repair, through the overflow and drain without mechanically disconnecting any portion of the operating mechanism or disturbing any pipe connections of the overflow or drain.

This is important with present day built-in installations, where most of the fittings and pipes are concealed within the walls of the fixture, making repairs, cleaning and replacement of parts a ditficult problem, especially where no removable panels are provided in the back wall. With applicants construction and arrangement no removable panels are required or necessary.

Another important object and chief novel feature of applicants invention, resides in the construction and form of valve operating means, with particular reference to the flexible or cushioning connection between the operating handle and the pivoted linkage and lever mechanism associated with the valve stopper or plug per se, whereby,

when said stopper is in its raised or open position the valve and operating mechanism cannot be damaged by ope stepping on or forcibly pushing down the stopper or P A further object of the invention is the production of a novel mechanism of the type indicated whereby the valve stopper and also the valve operating means can be properly adjusted after the parts have been inserted and assembled in the overflow and drain piping to adapt the device to various sizes of standard sanitary fixtures.

Another feature of the invention resides in the construction of the valve stopper or plug whereby the guide portion or spider of said stopper is provided with a downwardly projecting reduced portion or flat pin extending through a slot formed in the link secured to the bottom of the stopper, to act as a key to prevent the axial turning of said link and its pivoted linkage during the operation of the device and at the same time also prevent a rotation of the stopper.

For the purpose of illustration and description, the present invention has been shown associated with a bath tub and throughout the specification the sanitary fixture will be referred to as a tub.

Referring to the drawings in detail- Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in "ice section showing the various parts in assembled form as applied to a bathtub.

Figure 2 is an enlarged and substantially full size vertical sectional view of the overflow opening and associated fittings comprising the upper portion of the valve actuating rod and its connection to the operating handle.

Figure 3 is a continuation of Figure 2 illustrating the lower portion of the valve actuating means, the valve plug and connecting lever linkage, said plug .being in closed position.

Figure 4 is a top plan View on the line 44 of Figure 3 showing the pin and slot interlock between the valve plug and connected link.

Figure 5 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the operating handle and a means of mounting the same in the cover plate for the overflow opening.

Figure 6 is a rear view partly in section and partly in elevation on theline 66 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is substantially a full size view showing the manner of inserting the stopper and connected linkage in position or the withdrawing of same through the waste opening and associated elbow and pipe fittings; and

Figure 8 is a detail view of the upper end of the valve actuating rod more clearly illustrating the spaced loop atrangement to provide for various lengths of adjustments of said rod.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the present in vention is illustrated in connection with a conventional bath tub I provided with a waste opening 2 and an overflow opening 3.

With particular reference to Figure 3, the waste opening 2 is provided with the usual spud or stopper casing 4 having an upper clamping flange 5 provided with a valve seat 6. The lower end of the casing 4 is provided with an externally threaded portion 7 adapted to receive a waste elbow 8. Interposed between the upper flange portion 9 of the elbow 8 and the tub 1 is the usual gasket 18, whereby the spud or casing 4 is clamped in position in a water-tight and conventional manner.

Threaded into the other end of the elbow 8 is the horizontal pipe 11 extending into a T 12 with the usual water-tight seal or joint 13.

The lower leg of the T 12 is connected to a waste discharge pipe 14 and the upper leg is adapted to receive the lower end of an overflow pipe 15 also provided with the usual packing or seal 16.

The upper end of the overflow pipe 15 is threaded into a waste elbow 17 positioned at the overflow opening 3 and secured thereto by a perforated clamping ring 18 provided with clamping screws 19 adapted to engage internally threaded lugs 20 extending inwardly from the side walls of the overflow elbow 17. In order to provide a water-tight joint at this point, a gasket 21 is clamped between said elbow and the rear face of the tub 1. Positioned over the clamping plate 18 is a cover plate 22 and journaled in said plate is a rotatable valve operating handle 23 (see Figure 5), said handle being secured therein by a set screw 24 and adapted to be manually operated to control the valve plug to be hereinafter referred to.

This cover plate 22 is secured in position by a pair of screws 25 extending into threaded openings in the waste elbdogv clamping plate 18 as clearly shown in Figures 2 an The handle 23 has an eccentric inner end or crank extension 26 adapted to be inserted in one of the properly selected loops 27 formed on the upper end of the valve operating rod 28 (Figures 2 and 8). This rod 28 is provided with a series of vertically spaced loops 27 as shown more clearly in Figure 8, whereby said rod 28 may be adjusted as to length to adapt the same to fixtures of various sizes.

This operating rod 28 extends downwardly within the overflow pipe 15 and is preferably guided therein during operation of the device, by a bent oifset portion 29 as clearly shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 3, the valve operating rod 28 extends downwardly to the lower end of the overflow pipe 15 and into the T 12 and the lower end of said rod is formed into a compression spring coil 30 adapted to engage and normally rest on a one-way pivoted link 31 and provide a cushioning element for the valve operating linkage to be hereinafter described. This spring coil also acts as a guiding means for the lower end of the operating rod 28. The link 31 is pivoted to a downwardly curved link 32 having a fulcrum portion 33 normally resting on the bottom inner face of the horizontal pipe 11 and the opposite end of said link 32 has a one-way pivotal connection with a link, all clearly shown in Figure 3.

Positioned in the spud or stopper casing 4 is a vertical movable valve plug or stopper provided with a depending spider or guide wings 36 to ensure the proper alinement and position of said plug in both open and closed positions. These wings extend outwardly from an internally threaded stem 37 (Figures 3 and 7) to receive an adjusting screw 38 provided with a lock nut or the like 39, whereby said plug can be vertically adjusted with respect to the valve seat 6 to ensure the proper seating of the valve plug or the stopper during the operation of the device.

Pivotally connected to the lower end of the adjusting screw 38 is the outer end of the link 34. It will be noted upon referring to Figure 4 that the outer end of this link 34 is bifurcated to straddle the lower end of the screw 38 and at the same time provide a slot 40, for the purpose to be hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to Figure 3, this linkage comprising links 31, 32 and 34 simply rests and is freely positioned within the pipe 11 and some means therefore must be provided to prevent axial rotation thereof and also prevent a rotation of the stopper. In the present instance, this is provided in a novel manner by a reduced portion 41, of one of the webs 36 of the stopper, extending downwardly into the slot as clearly shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, whereby in both open and closed position this pin and slot combination will always function to prevent a rotation of the stopper and an axial rotation of the linkage.

With the various parts assembled as above described and as illustrated in combined Figures 2 and 3, a rotation downwardly of the eccentric operating handle 23 will cause a downward movement of the operating rod 28 which will, through the compression spring 30 on the lower end of said rod, exert a cushioned downward pressure on the end link 31 and in turn cause an upward movement of the opposite end link 34 through the fulcrum center link 32 due to the one-way hinged construction of the linkage. This upward movement of the link 34 will in an obvious manner lift the valve plug or stopper otf its seat 6 a sufficient distance to open the valve and a reverse movement of the operating handle will permit a seating of the valve plug, said plug being maintained in operative position and guided in its movements by the spider or wings 36.

With this cushioned arrangement of the valve plug operating means, the various parts cannot be damaged by one stepping on said plug or forcibly pushing the same down when the operating handle is in down position and the said valve plug is raised to open position.

The present construction not only provides a novel type of operating device for wastes, but one that can be, in a simple manner, inserted and removed without disturbing any of the drain and overflow piping used in connection with conventional bath fixtures.

After the various pipe fittings have been clamped to the tub, the stopper with its connected linkage is inserted into the waste elbow 8 as clearly shown in Figure 7.

As hereinbefore described, the one-way hinged construction of the linkage will cause said linkage to act as a solid rod when pressure is applied for opening the waste valve, but permit said linkage to pivot in the opposite direction, the individual links 31, 32 and 34 being of such length and shape as to allow the whole assembly, comprising the stopper and linkage, to be removed by simply lifting out the stopper and these parts can be inserted by a reverse operation as clearly shown in Figure 7.

The cushioned operating rod 28 can be inserted and removed through the overflow opening 3, said rod being flexible enough to bend to permit these operations. After rod 28 has been inserted, the overflow cover plate 22 with assembled handle 23 is secured in position, the crank portion 26 being inserted in the loop 27 nearest to the correct operative position. If the stopper or plug 35 does not seat properly when the handle 23 points upwardly as shown, the lock nut 39 is loosened and the stopper screwed up or down as required until the correct seating is obtained, after which the nut 39 is re-tightened.

After all adjustments are made, to open the valve plug or stopper, the handle 23 is rotated and through its eccentric extension 26 pushes down the spring rod against the outer end of the lever linkage, lifting the stopper to open position, the curved center link bearing on the bottom of the piping, acting as a fulcrum.

The three loops 27 on the upper end of the rod 28 together with the adjustment of the stopper, adapt this waste valve for use on practically all tubs of regular manufacture of all the different manufacturers.

This feature of insertion and removal of the valve plug and operating parts is not only important with respect to installation, but makes it very easy and simple to clean, replace or repair said parts Without disturbing any of the pipe connections of the sanitary fixture with which they are associated.

Furthermore, in view of the novel contact between the lower end of the operating rod 28 and the link 31 of the valve lifting lever, no mechanical or positive connection is required, whereby these respective parts can be separated and withdrawn in the manner stated.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

l. The combination with a sanitary fixture provided with a waste opening, a valve plug mounted in said opening, a manually operated control member for said valve plug, cushioned valve plug operating linkage connecting said plug to said operated member and a pin and slot connection between said plug and linkage to prevent the axial rotation of said linkage.

2. The combinationv with a sanitary fixture provided with a waste opening, a valve plug mounted in said opening, a manually operated control member for said valve plug, pivoted linkage comprising a lever, having one end pivotally connected to said valve plug, a cushioned valve plug operated member engaging the other end of said lever and connected to said manually operated control member, and a pin and slot connection between said plug and linkage to prevent axial rotation of said lever, and rotation of said plug.

3. The combination with a sanitary fixture provided with a waste opening, a valve plug mounted in said opening, a manually operated control member for said valve plug, pivoted linkage having one end adjustably attached to said plug, a pin and slot connection between said plug, and linkage for preventing an axial rotation of said linkage and a rotation of said plug, and a flexible rod interposed between said operated member and linkage, said rod at one end being provided with a series of integrally formed spaced loops for selectively connecting the same to said operated member and its opposite at its point of contact with said linkage being constructed in the form of a coil compression spring to provide a cushioned connection with said linkage.

4. The combination with a sanitary fixture provided with waste and overflow openings, communicating horizontal and vertical piping connecting said waste and overflow openings, a valve plug mounted in said waste opening, a valve operating handle mounted in said overflow opening, a three link lever freely positioned in said horizontal pipe having the intermediate link curved downwardly to provide a fulcrum engaging the inner wall of said horizontal pipe, one end of said lever being provided with a slotted link pivotally and adjustably connected to said valve plug, and said valve plug being provided with a downwardly extending flat pin-like portion extending through the slot in said link to prevent axial rotation of said linkage, a flexible rod mounted in said vertical pipe having its upper end provided with a series of spaced loops for selectively connecting the same to said operating handle, and a compression spring coil formed on the lower end of said rod for centering the rod in said vertical pipe and contacting the other end of said lever with a downward cushioned pressure for lifting said valve plug.

5. The combination with a sanitary fixture provided with waste and overflow openings, communicating horizontal and vertical piping connecting said waste and overflow openings, a valve plug mounted in said waste opening, a valve operating handle mounted in said overflow opening, a lever freely positioned in said horizontal pipe having an intermediate downwardly curved portion providing a fulcrum engaging the inner wall of said horizontal pipe, one end of said lever being pivotally and adjustably connected to said valve, said end also being provided with a slot to receive a pin projecting downwardly from said plug to prevent axial rotation of said lever, a flexible rod freely mounted in said vertical pipe having its upper end formed with a series of vertically spaced loops for selectively connecting the same to said operating handle, means integrally formed with the intermediate portion of said rod for guiding the rod in said vertical pipe and a compression spring coil integrally formed on the lower end of said rod for further centering the rod in said vertical pipe and contacting the other end of said lever with a downward cushioned pressure for lifting said valve plug upon the operating of said handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Longfellow Oct. 19, 1909 Moore Mar. 18, 1913 Kuehl July 28, 1925 Muend Mar. 5, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Austria Mar. 15, 1917 France Jan. 21, 1933 

